The List: The 25 Best U.S. Cities For Kids To Play Outside

Fatherly’s 25 Best U.S. Cities For Kids To Play Outside takes a close look at the state of play and play spaces in America today. The report includes a data-driven ranking taking into account everything from parks access to the rate of violent crime, plus insights from some of the leading thinkers on play science and playgrounds. Read the full report here.

Boston, MA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.1
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 98%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 355
Walkability Score: 80
Number of Fair Weather Days: 238

Pittsburgh, PA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.2
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 84%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 293
Walkability Score: 60
Number of Fair Weather Days: 213

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Minneapolis, MN
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.8
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 95%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 274
Walkability Score: 65
Number of Fair Weather Days: 250

Lincoln, NE
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.7
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 86%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 329
Walkability Score: 40
Number of Fair Weather Days: 283

Cincinnati, OH
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 5.1
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 71%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 285
Walkability Score: 50
Number of Fair Weather Days: 228

Denver, CO
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.8
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 86%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 329
Walkability Score: 56
Number of Fair Weather Days: 276

New York, NY
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 97%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 390
Walkability Score: 88
Number of Fair Weather Days: 244

Oakland, CA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.8
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 85%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 229
Walkability Score: 69
Number of Fair Weather Days: 302

Washington, DC
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.8
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 97%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 331
Walkability Score: 74
Number of Fair Weather Days: 252

Seattle, WA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.3
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 93%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 324
Walkability Score: 71
Number of Fair Weather Days: 210

San Francisco, CA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.6
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 99%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 559
Walkability Score: 84
Number of Fair Weather Days: 302

Omaha, NE
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.3
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 387
Walkability Score: 41
Number of Fair Weather Days: 266

Detroit, MI
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.5
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 570
Walkability Score: 52
Number of Fair Weather Days: 230

Portland, OR
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.1
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 85%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 251
Walkability Score: 63
Number of Fair Weather Days: 212

Sacramento, CA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.9
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 416
Walkability Score: 43
Number of Fair Weather Days: 307

Baltimore, MD
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.2
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 85%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 633
Walkability Score: 66
Number of Fair Weather Days: 250

Honolulu, HI
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.3
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 84%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 239
Walkability Score: 63
Number of Fair Weather Days: 269

Corpus Cristi, TX
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.5
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 72%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 524
Walkability Score: 36
Number of Fair Weather Days: 310

Chicago, IL
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.4
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 92%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 900
Walkability Score: 75
Number of Fair Weather Days: 240

Milwaukee, WI
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.6
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 88%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 587
Walkability Score: 59
Number of Fair Weather Days: 240

Philadelphia, PA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.6
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 93%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 938
Walkability Score: 77
Number of Fair Weather Days: 248

Virginia Beach, VA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.1
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 58%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 304
Walkability Score: 31
Number of Fair Weather Days: 263

San Diego, CA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.9
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 77%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 349
Walkability Score: 49
Number of Fair Weather Days: 324

Greensboro, NC
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.7
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 60%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 345
Walkability Score: 28
Number of Fair Weather Days: 321

Miami, FL
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.4
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 538.9
Walkability Score: 76
Number of Fair Weather Days: 234